Unfortunately, I did not love this. The pacing was too slow and the amount POV characters that was too much and could have better utilized. Love the concept and cover though.

Lucy Undying offers an engrossing and original take on vampire lore, with Lucy Westerna standing out as a deeply developed character who draws readers into her world. Her transformation into a vampire and the ensuing exploration of her immortal life are particularly captivating, overshadowing the contemporary romance subplot with Iris.

Lucy’s journey—marked by her struggles, sacrifices, and evolving self-awareness—forms the heart of the novel. Her experiences with Dracula, her exploration of sexuality, and her complex emotions create a richly layered narrative. The book’s pacing keeps the story engaging throughout its lengthy span, ensuring that readers remain hooked by Lucy’s epic tale.

In contrast, the present-time story involving Iris, though well-intentioned, lacks the depth seen in Lucy’s arc. Iris’s development feels somewhat less nuanced, which can make it challenging to fully connect with her character. Her struggles to escape her family legacy are relatable, but at times, her immaturity can be frustrating.

The novel excels in its use of diary entries and psychiatric sessions, which add depth and insight into Lucy’s psyche. These elements enrich the narrative, offering a thoughtful exploration of Lucy’s immortal life and her relationships.

Overall, Lucy Undying is a riveting fantasy that will particularly appeal to readers who enjoy complex, fanged protagonists and richly woven tales of self-discovery. Its unique take on the vampire genre, combined with a tantalizing sapphic journey, makes it a standout read in the fantasy genre.

UMMM WHERE DO I START?
oh yeah, how about once again Kiersten White wows me with a beautiful story!
I loved the characters, Lucy reminded me of myself, too trusting and naive, too loving for her own good. Iris was a general snarky badass and I adored them together!
This was a very character driven book and I loved hearing their stories. The lover, the doctor, even Rahul and Anthony. They were all so interesting and I loved reading about them.
Another thing I loved were the time jumps. Sometimes when jumping from past to present it can get kind of difficult to tell what's going on in the story, but when it's done right, damn is it so good. And it was done right here!
Like. I can't say enough good things about this book. If you like vampires, Dracula, love stories, and just an overall good read, I can't recommend this enough.
Definitely one of my new favorite books of all time, not even exaggerating! |

Lucy Undying is such an interesting twist on the original Dracula story. I was very excited to read this one but unfortunately found that the writing style was not up my alley and the overall pace was extremely slow. I generally have no issues with a slow burn, more often than not a slow paced book is what I prefer. However, because I had trouble enjoying the writing, the pace only further caused issues for me wanting to finish. I think specific types of readers will enjoy this one a ton, especially those who enjoy Sapphic, gothic reads. This will definitely remain a book I recommend throughout the fall season to other readers despite not having entirely worked for me, not to mention the cover is stunning!

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Del Rey for this ARC Copy! 3.5 Stars

This is such an interesting story of the victims of Dracula. Following the POV of human lucy from her diary entries, vampire Lucy in a therapist transcripts, and modern day Iris who is the daughter of an evil mother and her company who rules her life. Dracula has very little presence in this book and a lot of really strange things happened once the story begins to really unfold. I loved reading the diary entries and the transcripts to hear the story of how Lucy was changed and where things went from there, but the whole other ide of the story was interesting. The big reveal about the company was surprising and not necessarily in a good way...

This is the best vampire novel I’ve read in a long time.

Kiersten White has carved out a really unique space in the Horror/Suspense genre. I loved Hide and I think I loved this book even more.

I adore the Gentleman vampire trope and Dracula is one of my all time favorites, so I love seeing a modern author reinterpret the classic novel and successfully employ the gentleman vampire trope. A lot of writers attempt it, but it rarely goes well. Here White did both of these things brilliantly. Though perhaps I should say she successfully deployed the GentleWOMAN vampire trope?!

This book has, essentially, three timelines, though the structure is actually even more complicated than that, and I was really impressed by how well White used structure to make the story more complex and more suspenseful without making it at all convoluted and confusing.

It’s just a really brilliantly-plotted book, and White really hit on something with the way she married the past and the present, both in the continuity for one of the central characters and with the idea of what we might call a “vampire” in modern times.

Largely ignored and mostly condemned original Dracula character Lucy Westenra finally gets to tell her side of the story, and it’s a terrific alternate explanation for the actions of Stoker’s characters.

I’m not a big re-reader, but I’m already thinking about when I might come back to this one, as well as recommending it heartily to anyone who loves Dracula, vampire books in general, or even a delightful story of both love and friendship triumphing in the face of adversity.

Oh, and did I mention that it’s funny? Tough to achieve in a book like this, and masterfully done by White.

Lucy Westenra is alive, or at least what passes for life after being turned into a vampire by Dracula himself. In a multiple POV Dracula meets Interview with the Vampire narrative, we are slowly reintroduced to Lucy as we knew her from Bram Stoker's classic work and catch up with her until modern day. Our eyes to much of this world is Iris, a woman trying to escape her family who stumbles across Lucy's journals while looking for things of value in the London home she inherited from her mother.

I'm a sucker for a good epistolary novel. It makes me feel like I'm living in a character's head. Lucy's journals were a great addition to her modern day narrative, making her feel that much more real. Admittedly, I did have to check now and again to see which version of Lucy I was currently reading about.

If you're looking for a fast paced read, this is not that. It is slow, perhaps to its detriment very early on, but once you settle in, it's a beautiful and haunting study of a young woman who has only ever wanted to love and be loved. I think if you're a fan of Striker's seminal work and, like me, wanted more for Mina's friend than she was given, you're going to love getting to know Lucy.

This book was not exactly what I was expecting based on the cover and the synopsis. The tone of both suggests more of a serious gothic tale.

Instead Lucy Undying felt more campy and modern with some historical vampire lore sprinkled throughout.

With that said, I came to enjoy parts of the book — particularly Lucy’s therapist’s transcripts and her diary.

I had some issues with pacing which made it difficult for me to pick up the book at times. I’ve been “reading” it for a little over a month now. During some of the lulls, I found myself avoiding it.

I am currently at 50%. At this time, I’m going to put it on pause for now. I may come back to it later.

Like I said, the book is not bad. I think I just need to be in the right mood to fully enjoy it.

Thank you Del Rey for the gifted e-ARC. Opinions are my own.

Lucy Undying reimagines Lucy Westenra’s story after Dracula, blending her past and present with a modern twist. The book’s slow pace gives you time to really connect with Lucy through her journal entries, which are some of the best parts. I loved seeing her character grow as she navigates life as a vampire and learns more about herself, even if some of the multiple POVs were confusing at first. Iris, the other main character, brings a fresh perspective, though I didn’t connect with her as much as Lucy.

While the book feels long, especially in the middle, the story itself is dark, mysterious, and engaging. The mix of historical and modern narratives, along with some great twists, kept me interested, even if I saw a few things coming. It’s not a fast-paced read, but if you’re into slow-burn, vampire stories with complex characters, especially Lucy’s journey, this one’s for you.

Lucy Undying was a wild ride, blending mythology and history in a way that kept me hooked. I loved the fresh take on the Dracula story, focusing on Lucy Westenra's perspective and giving her a voice beyond the victim. The writing is witty and engaging, and the characters are vibrant and complex. I found myself rooting for Lucy as she navigated the treacherous world of vampires and societal expectations.

However, the plot got a little convoluted at times, with multiple storylines vying for attention. I also felt that some of the secondary characters could have been developed further.

Overall, Lucy Undying is a fun and feminist reimagining of a classic tale, perfect for fans of historical fantasy and strong female protagonists.

As a big fan of Kiersten White’s And I Darken, I loved that this felt in the same vein. Historical, multiple POVs, and an angsty love story. Lucy is a fascinating sapphic character in this Dracula retelling.

THIS BOOK! Lucy Undying is everything I’ve been searching for in the Vampire Renaissance that is happening. My second book for Sapphic September was poignant, entertaining, and enthralling! I love how Kiersten White takes the character of Lucy Westenra from the original Dracula story and gives her autonomy, purpose, and revenge. Lucy also gets to find acceptance and love in a way many young women from her time never did.

White perfectly toes the line between a book with heart and meaning that had me highlighting passages that spoke to me on a deep level, and a book that was fun to read and binge-ably engaging. (This matters to me so maybe in matters to you….this books has a TON of short chapters! Short chapters are SUPERIOR and I find myself turning the page to “read just one more chapter” so much quicker than when the chapters are very long…)

This book effortlessly hops between chapters on Iris in today’s times, Lucy’s journal entries from the 1800s, and a couple of other *spoiler* type POVs. It may seem like a lot, but it is so easy to follow and it just makes sense in this style that White has chosen to write this book in.

I cannot recommend this book enough! Go buy it now if you want a beautiful, ethereal, and fun sapphic story to fill your September with! Thank you to Del Rey and NetGalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This book started off really having my attention. I loved the why the book was written. It truly gave that gothic feel. I really like Lucy's character. Her character exploration was fascinating along with her relationship with Iris. Also, the cover is just stunning.

There is a lot going on between the different POVs as well as the journal/transcripts as well. I found myself getting a bit frustrated with it. Also, I didn't feel like this book didn't need to be as long as it was. Around the turning point I just lost interest.

Thank you NetGalley and random house Ballantine for the gifted copy.

First, this book is told from multiple perspectives, Iris in the present, Lucy´s journal in the past, and Lucy´s therapy recordings in the future. I loved the different timelines and jumping between them, it was not too hard to keep track of what was happening, and it kept my brain entertained and focused.

I loved the characters and Lucy´s growth throughout the story, even if the love story felt a bit fast, and I hate those. But the characters make up for it, both Lucy and Iris are interesting and well-rounded, while the other vampires are different enough not to get lost in the background. My least favorite character was weirdly enough, Dracula. He is a weak little man, which we stan, but certain plot points did not make sense in the story.

This gets bonus points for the vibe, it´s spot-on, gothic, and dark. And the MML vampire scheme was just hilarious!!

Pick this one up if you love feminine rage, sapphics, found family, and deep inner healing (mostly from mommy issues).

**3.5-stars rounded up**

Lucy Undying is an Adult Gothic Fantasy novel that reimagines some classic character arcs from one of my favorite novels of all-time, Dracula. This is the 11th-book I've read from White. I had really been looking forward to it ever since I read the synopsis and first laid eyes on the stunning cover.

With a clever use of mixed media, as well as an intriguing present day narrative, White spins a tale spanning across generations. The way the historical and present perspectives were played off each other was very well executed. As the synopsis notes, one of the main characters in this story is Lucy Westenra, who Dracula fans may recognize as Mina's best friend. She's also known to be Dracula's first victim in the UK. In Lucy Undying, White imagines what would have happen to Lucy after that, for her story didn't end there.

In present day, we follow Iris, who's family owns a health products empire. Her mom has recently died and Iris travels to London to stay at a mansion, known as Hillingham, that she's inherited. It's there she makes new friends, explores the past through the pages of a journal she discovers hidden in Hillingham, begins to find her true self and hatches a plan to escape from the clutches of the evil company her mother left behind.

This story is layered. There's a lot happening. Initially, you aren't 100% on how all the different elements are going to come together, but each perspective is equally intriguing. I loved the idea of the Hillingham house. I could just picture this neglected gothic property and loved Iris's time there. Those scenes at Hillingham are some of my favorites from the entire novel.

I also did enjoy Lucy's perspective. The more historical portions were well connected with the original source material and I liked hearing Lucy's side of all that: her suitors, her mother, etc. I was obsessed with this story for the first 65%. There was so much going on and I was enjoying the back and forth of it all, trying to piece it together. However, around that 65% mark, there's something revealed, where after that, I was almost over it. There wasn't much intrigue left for me and I struggled to see how we still had so much story to go?

It did drag for me in that second portion, but picked up again in the last 10%. For me, I feel like this could have been cut down a bit, but that's purely personal taste. NGL, I was over it, but others may eat it up the whole way through. Overall, I felt this was a clever reinterpretation of Lucy's story and an interesting exploration of where that could have gone. I know some true Dracula fans may be turned off by how much this changes some of the MCs of Dracula, thinking of Mina in particular, but I think you have to appreciate White's creativity with it.

Thank you to the publisher, Del Rey, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I enjoyed this one and can't wait to see what White delivers us next!

This is such an intriguing premise: a character relegated to the sidelines of Dracula gets a chance to tell her own story. Lucy is typically the tragic, doomed beauty and here she is given a chance to shine. This is part gothic, part self-discovery, and part romance and it is set against both historical and modern backdrops.

One of the best elements of the book is its exploration of Lucy’s evolution through time. The historical sections, especially Lucy’s diary and her observations on vampire society, are where the story really shines. Lucy is a good foil to her fellow vampires, whose humanity decays as they cling to aspects of their former lives/trauma. It taps into that age-old vampire lore—how immortality can be a curse and how the more you live, the more you lose who you were. This existential struggle is fascinating, and I enjoyed the way White wove it through the narrative. I also adored Lucy telling these events to a therapist; it's a bit campy, but I thought it was very clever.

The parallel storyline with modern-day Iris, whose family secrets form a mystery of their own, adds another layer to the plot. The tension between Lucy’s centuries-old quest for identity and Iris’s own need for freedom makes for an interesting dynamic. The Sapphic romance feels natural as two women who have both been controlled by forces outside themselves for so long find freedom in one another.

However, the book doesn’t quite match the dark, brooding atmosphere suggested by the cover and the blurb. While the setup promises gothic horror, the tone shifts unexpectedly from time to time and I don't think it blends the modern era as well as it wants to. Basically, the corpo vamps make them seem far less gothic. It takes all the history out of them. It's almost as if the book is juggling two distinct identities—historical vampire lore and modern cults —and for me, that balance didn’t fully land. Honestly, I'm a bit of a snob about gothic stories.

If you’re a fan of vampires and appreciate a fresh twist on a classic taken into the modern realm. Despite its flaws, Lucy Undying is an interesting read. I liked the idea of it more than the execution, particularly the thought-provoking questions about immortality, identity, and how we carry our pasts with us.

Thanks so much to TBR Beyond Tours & the author for the complimentary review copy. All opinions are my own and this review is voluntary.

I gave this book 3.75/5 stars. The writing was immaculate. The only problem is once Dracula was introduced to the story it really fell flat for me and it kinda dragged.

A sapphic take on Dracula told from the perspective of Lucy as she recounts both her past and her present in a story about revenge filled with betrayal, romance, and vampires! Lucy Westenra is known for being one of Dracula's victims... and in this new take we follow Lucy from the beginning as we go past her death to the present day. Lucy and Mina were inseparable and it's known that Lucy had famous suitors, yet the moment she becomes a vampire what truly happens to her? In this story we explore Lucy's side of events as she grapples with her choices and her forbidden love, as she deals with a whole new life style and the thirst for revenge against the monster that turned her. Spanning decades, we see her grow and see her hunt down the vampire who continues to elude her... and then she meets Iris, the first person to see her for herself and to love her wholly. Iris has her own secrets though... secrets that could destroy them both. Can Lucy's past and Iris's own dysfunctional family tear them apart or can they find a way to work together and overcome it all? If you love unique takes on characters that further flesh them out and give a fresh take on the classic story, absolutely add this book to your tbr. As a huge fan of Dracula and a lover of sapphic vampire stories, this book hit all my boxes. It's a delightful read that manages to keep both the true gothic undertones of the original story while adding a fresh new spin that will absolutely captivate you while you read it.

Release Date: September 10,2024

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

Author Info: Website

Book Tour: TBR Beyond Tours

*Thanks Netgalley, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Del Rey, and @tbrbeyondtours for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review and being part of the book tour.

Dracula retelling by my fav Kiersten White?! Yes please.

I loved this.

Lucy absolutely needed a girlfriend and this was done is such a great way. Vampires, cults/mlms, dead abusive parents. This was for me!

I love seeing the threads of the authors religious background and working through that trauma on her horror books I relate full heartedly and it always makes me feel seen.

Thanks to netgalley and random house for an eARC

A haunting, thrilling, vampiric discovery of life…after death.
Kiersten White has given a story to The girl who was only mentioned in brief passing in Bram Stoker’s Dracula.
A life that was taken from her and then forced back on her with conditions.

I didn’t really feel gothic vibes, but rather dark and gloomy.
It’s a gritty story of a young woman coming to terms with the death of her human life while also grasping her new vampiric life.

A perfect read to add to your TBR this fall!

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